Jointed figure.



G. W. FERGUSON.

JOINTED FIGURE.

APPLIOATIoN FILED Mn 25, 1909.

Patented May 10, 1910.

n Geary@ rgzmfzf 57 f4 @mW/Vi' if Mmm/EVS PWTNESSES Tia paran saar GEORGE WASHINGTON FERGUSON, 0F PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIN.

J' OINTED FIGURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May il), 1910.

Application filed 'May 25, 1909. Serial No. 498,200.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE W. FERGUSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Plymouth, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and Improved Jointed Figure, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description.

The purpose of this invention is to provide novel features of construction for a jointed figure that may be of wood or other available material, which adapt the ligure to receive many adjustments of its head and all other members, thus rendering the mechanical simulation of a human figure or the ligure of an animal, fowl or reptile, grotesque and very amusing; and a further object is to enable the construction of the ligure in a simple, durable manner, rapidly and inexpensively by machinery.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as is hereinafter described and defined in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specilication, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a perspective view, showing the members of a figure adjusted in certain of various positions they may be given on the body thereof Fig. 2 is a partly sectional plan view of the present example of my invention taken substantially on the line 2 2 in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a side view of the lower portion of the figure; Fig. l is a broken side view of the upper portion of the ligure, seen in the direction of the arrow a2 in Fig. l; and Fig. 5 is a reversed plan view of the body of the ligure, showing its lower end.

While the drawings show my invention as embodied in the ligure of a dell, it should be understood that such is but one form the invention may take, and is to be considered merely as illustrating the application, but not limitingmy invention to the particular ligure or special form shown.

In the drawings, 5 indicates the body of the ligure, having a mainly rectangular form, the thickness, width and length thereof being suitably proportioned. The sides of the body 5 are parallel with each other, as are likewise the front and rear surfaces thereof. The corners of the body at each end are removed, as shown in the drawings at a, thus producing four bevel surfaces on each end of the same as appears in Figs. 1, a and 5.

In the normally upper end of the body 5, which represents the shoulders of the ligure, three transverse spaced slots Z2 are produced, having an equal depth, the intermediate slot being central and the two remaining slots equally distant therefrom and also equally spaced from the sides of the body.

The head of the figure, shown at 6, is formed of a block of suit-able material that is rigid, and may have features thereon which are comical as indicated, the head being integral with a neck 6a. The neck has two lateral projections c thereon, which have flat side surfaces c that slope inward and toward a fiat bottom surface 02. A slot 03 is formed in the neck at its center of width and a similar slot ct is formed therein at its center of thickness, as best shown in Fig. l.

The upper limbs of the ligure each consist of two members 7, 8, that together represent the counterpart of a human arm. The upper member' 7 has connection with one side of the body 5 at the shoulder 5a thereof, and the member 8 which simulates the forearm has jointed connection with the part 7. The manner and means for connecting the parts 7, S, together and of jointing the arm on the shoulder, are similar for each arm, and embody novel features that will presently be explained. The similar members 7 of the arms each consist of a billet of wood or other suitable material, having a length and other dimensions proportioned to the size of the body 5, said member 7 having quadrangular form in cross section. rl`he normally upper ends of the members 7 which are disposed adjacent to the shoulders 5L and may have contact therewith, are preferably cut at right angles with the sides thereof, and said ends are each slotted longitudinally at the transverse centers of opposite sides, thus producing two slots CZ that cross each other in the upper end of each member 7. The remaining or outer end of each member 7 is out at right angles with the sides thereof and the corners are removed, thus producing bevel surfaces e where the end and sides join each other. The lower end portions of the members 7 are each slotted longitudinally and at right angles, thus producing two slots e that cross each other in each of said ends of the members 7.

rlChe members S that represent the forearms of the ligure, are alike and have suitable length; these members, which are rectangular' in cross section, have their ends cutsquare with their sides, as shown in Fig. 2 at g. ln each end of each forearm 8, a single longitudinal slot g is formed, which is disposed transversely when the members of the ligure are connected together. A hand member 9 is furnished for each arm, and is preferably shaped as shown, consisting of a block of rigid material fashioned to simulate the form of a human hand. `Each hand 9 is formed with a fiat end wall L that is inclined to the trend of the inner surface of the hand, and as shown, the inner corner is removed, thus producing a bevel surface 71,. At the center of the wrist on each hand 9, a slot 7b2 is longitudinally formed in each hand 9, and forms a perforation through the palm thereof.

rthe arms which have been described, are preferably jointed together and the head and hands flexibly connected respectively with tne upper end of the body 5, and the wrists of the forearm 8, by means of two strong measurably elastic cords 10. To adaptthe described members for a yielding connection with the body 5 and with each other, there is a slot Z2 formed at the transverse center of the body between the outer surface thereof and the adjacent transverse slot b at each side of the body, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. Through the walls defined by the transverse slots in the upper portion of the body 5, perforations are formed, as is indicated at Z22 in Fig. 2, said perforations being alined with the slots b and with each other. rlhe members 7, S, of each arm, are longitudinally perforated as at g2, these perforations being central and at the junctions of the crossed slots in the ends of said members, so that the perforations aline with said crossing points of the slots. As appears in dotted lines in Fig. 1, vertical perforation ct is formed in the head G, which is alined with the slot o3.

lneifecting the connection of the parts that lie above the lower end of he body 5, the cords 10 are loosely inserted down through the head 6 and slot c3 in the neck 6a, and thence are extended in opposite directions through the respective arm members 7, 8, and throuo'h the perforations 7a2 in the respective hands 9. rlhe ends of the cords 10 are secured in the head G and after straightening the arm members T, 8, and placing the hands 9 in the positions shown in Fig. l said cords are drawn taut, and then their remaining ends are fastened in the hands 9.

The lower part of the body 5 is twice transversely slotted, as shown at z', these two slots being located at equal distances from the respective sides of the body, and at the center of thickness thereof a slot z" is formed, that extends through the material between each side surface of the body and a respective slot z'. A perforation 3 extends between the slots z" and intersects them, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The lower limbs of the figure are each composed of a hip section 11 and a lower section 12 that represents the calf and tibia of a human leg; these parts which are properly proportioned, are preferably formed of wood. The hip member l1 of each leg is rectangular in cross section, and cut square with the sides at its normally upper end. The corners at each side and lower end of each hip section 11 are removed and bevel surfaces Z are produced thereat, and as appears in Fig. 1, two longitudinal slots m, m" are formed in the lower end of each hip section and intersect each other at a right angle. Two slots 7c, 7u', are formed in the upper end of each hip section 11, said slots extending a short distance longitudinally and intersecting each other at a right angle. The lower member l2 of each leg is in the form of a rectangular billet of wood or other rigid material and has fiat ends that are at right angles with the sides thereof. A slot n is formed at the transverse center and at each end of each leg section 12, extending a short distance therein and intersecting the front and rear sides of said section.

A. foot member 13 is provided for the com pletion of the lower limb of each leg, and as shown, said foot and an integral ankle 13a thereon, are slotted from front to rear through the transverse center, as shown at 7) in Fig. 1, thus disposing said slotopposite the slot n in the lower end of respective lower member 12, when the parts are assembled. lThe feet 13 each has a beveled side p produced thereon by the removal of the rear upper corner, thus providing an inclined bearing surface thereon.

Centrally through each leg section 11, and corresponding leg section l2, a longitudinal perforation 0 is formed, as is indicated by dotted lines for one leg in Fig. l, these perforations being alined with the points of intersection of the transverse slots n, Z7, and in the feet 18, similar perforations o are formed, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. n the perforations 3, the middle portion of an elastic cord lll, similar to the cord l0, lis secured, and thence is extended down through the perforations 0 in the leg members 11, 12, as well as the slots 7c, m and n. The lower end portions of the cord 14e are passed respectively through a perforation 0 in a corresponding foot 13, wherein `the ends of said cord are respectively secured after the elastic cord is drawn taut, and thus is adapted for holding all the joints between the feet, leg sections and body closely but rockably connected.

It will be seen in Fig. 3 at the right leg of the figure, that the elasticity of the cord 1li permits the foot 13 to receive such an adjustment as will dispose the inclined surface p thereon in contact with the lower end of the member 12 of the corresponding leg.

rihe peculiar construction and arrangement of the head and limbs of the figure, permit said head and limbs to receive a multiplicity of adjust-ments; the head 6, for example, may be inclined forward, rearward, or at either side, also it may be turned partially or halfway around, so as to cause it to face in an opposite direction. it will also be seen that the arms may be projected forwardly or rearwardly, this being readily effected by manipulation, as the elasticity of the cords 10 permits the arms to be disposed with either side of either arm seated flat upon the corresponding side of the body 5, and there held by the contraction of the connected cord. 1t will further be noted that the arms may be rotated when in the position just mentioned, the cord 10 serving as a pivot, so that any direction of adjustment, front, rear, up or down, may be readily given to the arms. It will also be apparent that the arm sections 7 may be seated at their ends upon the bevel surfaces a on the body 5 when the cord 10 that is connected therewith is drawn into either the slots or which will dispose the arms in an upwardly and outwardly direction, front, rear or sidewise, in accord with the trend of the slot occupied by the cord.

The forearms 8 may each be flexed sidewise, so that the remaining end of an arm section 7 is seated upon the adjacent side of a corresponding section S, which will dispose the latter at a right angle to the section 7, as shown at the left side of the figure in Fig. l. The forearm sections 8 may also be inclined outwardly and upwardly, by seating a corner of the adjacent end of a respective section S in the horizontally-disposed slot e in the end of a connected a m section i". rihe upper ends of the forearm sections 8 may also be adjusted to have seated engagement with either of the beveled surfaces on the engaged ends of the arm sections i', and thus give the a "ms many grotesque positions in relation to the body 5.

The hands 9 are so shaped at the ends of the wrists thereon that they may be inclined in many directions, as shown in Fig. 1, where they are seated on each of the surfaces 7i and t, and it is apparent that by drawing the hands into proper position, the cords 10 will occupy the slots h2 and the hands be seated upon the sides of the wrists instead of on their ends. As before mentioned, the tension of the cords l0 at their ends that are secured in the head 6, serves to hold the neck C@ seated upon the flat top surface of the body 5, or if desired, the head may be seated on either of the bevel surfaces c or by slightly stretching` the cords 10, be imposed upon either the front or rear bevel surfaces ai on the upper end of the body 5; the lastnamed adjustments adapting the features on the head to be faced downward or upward as may be desired. rllhe lower limbs of the figure may in a similar manner to that already described for the arms, be given a multiplicity of dierent adjustments to simulate the movements of a skilled contortionist; or, if desired, the legs may be closely folded up against the body or be turned straight outward therefrom in various directions, the cord la in making some of these alterations in positions, being passed through an appropriate slot in the leg scctions and lower end of the body. At is preferred to connect the arms and legs with the body, head and feet, by long elastic cords, that pass loosely through the limbs, as this permits the adjustment of the parts in every direction, and their rotation on the body as well as on each other to be made readily without improperly twisting the cords.

Having thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A jointed ligure, comprising a body, a head having a neck provided with flat bevelcd edges on its lower end, and an elastic cord connecting the head and body, whereby the head may be turned to either side and held in the position to which it is moved.

2. i jointed gure, having a body, flat beveled edges on each end of said body, limbs, bevel corners on the ends of said limbs, and elastic means for connecting the limbs and body.

3. A figure, having a four sided body with fiat ends and beveled corners between the sides and ends, a plurality of members, and elastic cords connecting the members with the body.

e'. A figure, having a rigid four-sided body with flat ends and provided with slots in said ends extending through the frontand rear walls thereof, a plurality of members, and elastic cords connecting the members with the body and working in said slots.

5. A figure, having a four-sided body with flat ends and provided with slo-ts in its ends and at right angles to one another, a plurality of slotted members, and elastic cords connecting the members with the Ibody and working in the slots of said body and members.

6. A figure, having` a four-sided body with flat ends and beveled edges between the sides and ends, and provided with slots in its ends extending from front to rear and slots in its side edges at right angles to the first named slots and leading out through the ends, a plurality of members, and elastic cords connecting the members with the body and working in the slots.

7. A ligure, comprising a four-sided body with fiat ends, and flat beveled edges between said sides and ends, and further provided with three transverse slots that extend between the front and rear sides of the body at the upper end thereof, two similar slots extended between said sides at the lower end thereof, a single slot in each of the other sides at the upper end of the body, and similar slots in the same sides at the lower end of the body, the single slots in the sides intersecting the nearest transverse slots at a. right angle thereto, a plurality of members, and elastic cords connecting the members with the body.

S. A figure, having` a four-sided body, iiat ends thereon, a head, jointed arms, flat beveled edges on the ends of the arms, and an elastic cord adapted for connecting the head with the upper end of the body and the arms with the sides thereof, so that the head and arms may be flexed in different directions.

9. A ligure, having a four-sided body and a flat lower end, the edges between the sides and end being beveled, two legs each comprising two members, said members having slotted ends and also central longitudinal perforations, two slotted feet, each having its rear upper edge beveled, the feet being vertically perforated, and elastic Cord connections extended from the body down through the members of each leg and each foot and fastened at their ends in said feet.

10. A iigure, having a four-sided body having perforations therein, flat ends thereon, beveled edges between the sides and ends, slots in the ends of the body, jointed arms and hands, a head, and an elastic cord engaging the head, arms and hands and securing said parts to the body, so that they may receive diiierent independent adjustments thereon.

11. In a iigure, a four-sided rigid body, fiat ends thereon, beveled edges on said ends and spaced transverse slots therein, jointed arms, jointed legs, ilat beveled edges on the ends of the arms and legs, hands for the arms, feet for the legs, the head, body, arms, hands, legs and feet all having perforations therein, beveled edges at their ends and elastic cords threaded through said perforations, drawn taut therein and secured at their ends in the head, hands and feet, whereby the head and members of the body are adapted for receiving independent exures in different directions.

12. In a figure of the character described, the combination with a rigid body, of a rigid head, said head having a neck, all the lower edges of which are flat beveled, and elastic means connecting the head and body, that permit the head to be inclined laterally in any direction and seat on a beveled edge or be rotated on the body.

13. ln a figure of the character described, the combination with a rigid four-sided body, of two similar arms, each having two members that are four-sided, flat bevel edges on ends of said members that are longitudinally perforated, and transversely slotted in their ends so as to intersect the perforations, hands each having a perforation a transverse slot, a beveled edge at one corner thereon and elastic cords occupying the perforations in said members, dra-wn taut and secured at their ends, whereby said cords will hold the arms and hands flexed and adjusted in any desired position.

14. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of members, and elastic cords connecting the members, said members having guides for the cords, said guides being at right angles one to the other.

15. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of members, and elastic cords connecting the members,"each member having guides for the cords, which are at right angles to each other.

16. A device of the character described, comprising a body, and a plurality of members, the body and members being provided with slots at right angles to each other, and elastic cords connecting the members with the body and working in the said slots.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE WASHINGTON FERGUSON.

litnesses R. A. BAUMANN, MARTIN HALvnRsoN. 

